.

Waste on the water
Barges to sink
Hands holding anchors
Words on the brink

Pens overflowing
Nobody sees
Losing one’s talent
Aiming to please

Reading the buoy
Up and down lines
Drowned in the moonlight
Dodging the mines

Hoping for rescue
Shells on the shore
Merely a like
Nothing much more

Energy spending
Doesn’t make sense
Empty eyes staring
At the expense

Waves keep on crashing
Sand on the street
Write out another
Frown and repeat

Lungs fill with water
Maybe it’s best
No one will notice
The end of the quest

.

As we sit looking out over
strawberry sherbet skies,
breathing in the solitude
of twilight’s scented breeze,
remembering the passing day
and laughing at firefly sparkles
glistening in our eyes

I see evening’s first star
appear beyond pine tree shadows,
above a drowsy horizon
An opal on a deep violet canvas
illuminating the desires
forever glowing in my heart,
and I make a wish

Enchanting cricket song
wafts through the fields
in harmony with our heartbeats,
when you take my face in your
primrose petal hands and kiss me,
sweeter than jasmine pudding,
taking my breath away

Then resting your head
on my shoulder you sigh,
telling me I am everything
you have ever wished for
and you will love me forever…
as I look back up at the star
*and whisper, “thank you”

You see, there is a heart,
hiding in that vast wasteland
where cactus stands guard
and sand gathers in your shoes

Temporarily deserted
neath a steadfast glaring sun
bringing a spot light
to this darkness you perceive

The way out has been known all along,
waiting in between shadows
and adobe walls constructed
by this self-imposed blindness

Mirrored questions on streaked glass
reflecting what you want to see,
not what those with eyes open
and hands reaching find

Follow me, let me show you the path,
returning you to your smile
and the beauty of what we know…
there is a heart and it is yours

.

Another rainy Saturday...
I watch as it
drips from the eaves,
a rhythmic melody humming
in glistening harmonies
puddling on the lawn,
reflecting my constant thoughts
of your brilliant sunshine smile,
beautiful shade tree eyes
and your forever
blue sky love

You sneak up behind me
and putting your arms
around me say,
"Looks like another rainy Saturday"
I turn and kiss you, then reply,
"I hadn't noticed"

A collection of poetic tattoos
Permanent upon my heart
Fancy scripted verses
Beneath my chest
Illustrated hope
Penned deep
Artistic ink
Promised
Phrases
Of my
Love

.

I can barely count the miles
of criss-crossed asphalt,
painted lanes in all directions,

barbed wire fences
creating corn field quilts
in endless mosaic patterns,

rivers winding and unwinding
beneath bridges spanning
picket fence neighborhoods and cities,

stop signs and detour barricades
shifting the flow around *** holes
and borders patrolled

My eyes blur of chalk marked sidewalks,
hopscotch squares washed out by storms
which have found me lost more than once

The distance seems unyielding, a formidable foe
to this dream repeating in my mind
of the moment we finally meet

Still I keep walking, wondering
will worn out shoes and 99 cent burgers,
be enough fuel for this destination

Regardless, I shall not stop
until I reach you, falling exhausted,
finally into your arms, into your heart

.

I have awoke to misty morns,
    clouded days of rain filled skies

But always I do see the sun,
      *when first I gaze into your eyes

>

Another rainy morning spent staring through
a wiper smeared windshield
hoping to beat the next light, no such luck
When that song, our song or what used to be our song
sneaks in through these worn out speakers…again
and I listen…like a fool…again
  
The emptiness returns full force and I feel sick
It happens every time and every time I sound like a broken record
“Turn the **** thing off”, my mind shouts at me,
but still I am unable to hear over the singing sadness
and the sound of my heart breaking all over again,
God I’m pathetic

So here I am heading to the station earlier than usual
at least the traffic isn’t so bad, I guess because roosters can’t drive
Who schedules meetings this early in the morning?
Obviously someone unaware of the benefits of a good night’s sleep
Well look there, maybe my luck is changing, a parking spot right up front
But still, I have a feeling this is going to be a bad day

Ducking from the rain I pause at an advertisement for the rail line,
“Where the hell is the sunshine and blue skies that poster is showing?”
I think as I enter the car and find a seat, which wasn’t hard,
there are only three people on here at this hour,
two old ladies dressed for church or the doctor
and a kid with headphones, sleeping, now why didn’t I think of that?

I pull out my notebook when I see her hurrying for the already closing doors.
I jump up and hold them open so she can enter.
She is soaking wet, but ****, she is drop dead gorgeous,
dark hair and beautiful light brown eyes, she looks up and says “thank you”
with a smile that melts me right where I stand
“My pleasure” I answer as she takes the seat across from mine

She opens her ipad, I pretend to look at mine, but can’t take my eyes off of her
Now engrossed in whatever she's reading, swiping a finger across the screen  
and then that smile appears again, I can barely breathe as my
heart tries to beat its way out of my chest. Dressed in a black skirt and top,
she looks like she’s just stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine…
“Oh crap, she just caught me staring”

I quickly glance down to her ipad then back up to her gorgeous eyes.  
I feel like an idiot, or worse. When she giggles and says, “Poetry.”  
“Poetry?” I ask in a voice stuttering from embarrassment
Waving her device she replies, "I’m reading poetry, do you like poetry?”
“Umm, yes, I, uh, do like poetry.”  She pats the seat next to her and says,
“Come, sit here. Let me read you one.”

Maybe this day won’t be so bad after all…

.

Pathways lead,
I follow with my eyes closed
euphonious tender wings
of painted treetop songs
counted in measures of bliss

Sunsets drift,
tangerine sleeves roll the horizon
as symphonic emotions call
in echoes of promise
lingering in eternal dreams

Destinations wait,
in distances of northward thought,
where cities come to meet,
and skylines form in your melody,
choruses of breathtaking brush strokes

Passion abounds,
played of satin stringed desires,
sonnets on silhouettes float
in the  harmonies of my heart
*singing sweetly with you

.

I closed my eyes and
      whispered I love you      
on a wayward wind,
    felt the touch of your heart  
           in dew drop shimmers,
    collected sunrise wishes
                  in my pocket,
       bid farewell to the last star
           of the night,
          blew you a kiss far beyond
       the yawning tree line,
             opened my eyes
    and began my day
        *with a smile

-

Just beyond the setting sun
Of heavens born delight
A moon so sweetly in its form
Does send its magic light

Yet there beyond its boundaries
Another point does shine
As if it watches over this
Our moment caught in time

Towards the northern corner
As it hovers in its play
Of mysteries in timeless flow
Brings forth its grand display

We fantasize its meaning
Many thoughts about begin
In dreams of lasting promises
To bring us back again

Though in its stately wonder
We find it is to show
Joining hearts together
Within its wondrous glow

For every star that follows us
And every moon we see
Forever in the heavens soft
Is there for you and me

As if we only wander
Through phases found in time
With every second precious
Since my love calls you mine

I pray that many evenings
Till the time our world does end
Within my arms I’ll hold you tight
My love to you I send

So look this night my darling
To the full moon bright above
And know this other point of light
Is my undying love

-

When was the last time
you climbed up a ladder,
looked at the sunset
through periscope eyes

Drank from the cabinet
marked liquor don’t enter,
watched an old movie
with tear drops and sighs

Danced in the garden
with daffodils watching,
sat down to dinner
and found something sweet

Floated on marshmallow
clouds on a Monday,
painted the lines
on the wrong one way street

Sang in a meadow
with butterflies playing,
swam in the dessert
neck deep in the sand

Picked up a quarter
and called it a dollar
even though ladybugs
slept in your hand

Read a new poem
and found something like this,
rolled both your eyes
and then wore a smile

Look at the bright side,
all that it cost you
was just spending time
with me for a while

Sinister curtains
drape an unsuspecting window
of moldy caulk
and hairline cracks
letting cold in, cold out,
splitting plastered walls
around a faded outline
of an empty frame,
slanted on stretched wires,
where your picture
once rested

Cloth of blackened residue
dangling from rusted rods,
un-soft fabric in dust crammed air
sifting unnoticed,
settling around knick knacks
leaving shapes and fingered designs
on silent end tables
staring up at
this dark veil
that hangs
with you

.

I woke up to
a lovebird’s lyrics
sung upon a dewdrop lawn

Touching so
her words did echo
sweet this effervescent dawn

Mesmerized
I listened closely
breezes through my window fell

To her sound
of sunrise blessings
captured swiftly by her spell

I sat down
at my piano
inspired by what I did hear

Found the key
a soft progression
it whispered sweetly in my ear

She filled my heart
with melodies
the feel of love in me did grow

Playing keys
of black and white
so beautiful the sound did flow

Upon my sill
she sang her sonnet
as my fingers played along

The two of us
in harmony
*with her wondrous morning song

.

I saw your eyes among the stars
     a twinkling midnight dream
even the full moon could not outshine,
       and drifting on a comet’s tail
  I chased them across the universe
           *hoping for just one more glimpse

.

The day closes
behind a screen door
branded with a bread label,
yellows and blues,
blues how appropriate
as I stand here, sore feet,
tired muscles watching the shadows
play in circles on the lawn

Two cats sleep on the porch
as if this day was like all others
with cloud formations
in unrecognizable shapes,
claiming another victory
with a blade and a sun beam,
both glistening in defiant smiles

While on wings of gossamer weavings,
beyond the crested and fallen snow,
she flies like the wind,
touching me in all areas,
engulfing me with her presence,
lifting me so that my existence
is only hers, and that is how it should

I whistle a happy tune
though this happiness, this poetry
is weighing on those who read
and even those who don't
which number many more
in counted blank margins,
straight line columns of silence

Still I reach, hoping for something
which takes a back seat to the others
who prove more talent, more resolve
in crafted words spelling that relief,
poetry that breaths in the soft reflections
desired in these eyes now weary...

the day closes...

I've counted the minutes
and walked through the day
Awaiting tomorrow
when I'm on my way

Sat on a park bench
alone with the wind
Thinking that soon
my whole life will begin

Searching for reasons
the past has been lost
Paying the price now
regardless the cost

Emptied my pockets
of trinkets and trash
Spilled out the quarters,
the last of my cash

Lingered for hours
balloons in my hand
A bouquet of daisies
all part of the plan

And when the last thought
of the day it was gone
Made my way home
and I wished for the dawn

All of these questions
that my heart does ask
Trying my best
at the brink of the task

Still I am waiting
for merely a word
So that I know my
I love you was heard

.

Here I am again
I stir in my bed, waking
as my thoughts instantly
become you

How did you sleep,
how do you feel,
are you smiling
and are you thinking of me too

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes,
I stumble to the kitchen,
make myself a cup of coffee
and grab my notebook

I hear thunder in the distance,
as I sit down to write
another poem I hope you will see,
but you probably won't

Words seem lost in my empty heart,
but still I write,
as if I am talking to you,
as if you can hear me

Telling you how much I love you,
in short verses filled with my affection,
truthful phrases expressing how I feel
in my best poetic way

Yes, here I am again
another dark rainy dawn,
another poem written,
another Sunday morning...missing you

I am walking on a wire,
taut and thin, slippery in places,
high above a deep ravine
searching, constantly searching

On one side I see trees,
a lush green canopy of rustling leaves,
twisted branches in full summer attire,
creating shadows of worry

On the opposite side I see rock,
a cavern of jagged cliffs and boulders,
strewn about like fallen dominoes,
broken pieces of past dreams

But on neither side do I see you

So I will continue to walk this wire,
one foot in front of the other,
maintaining my balance
until the time comes that I do

And once I see you,
no matter what side,
regardless of the peril
or how far the drop

I will fall for you
all over again

.

Darkness once again greets me
staring in through the windows
Morning still sleeps silently,
dreaming of the dawn
My coffee keeps me company
as I wait for my sunrise...

Not on the eastern horizon,
an orange glow shimmering
through the distant tree line,
but the one in my heart
that shines each day
when I hear from you again

-

Harmonic dreams
in slow dance tempos,
melodically sing to you
the music of my heart

Performed whispers
in the key of love
echo from a twilight sky
of stardust concertos

On gossamer strings
upon a moonbeam guitar
tuned to the symphony
of your serenade smile

As mesmerizing lyrics
of forever poetic promises
resonate from our heavens
*creating the perfect duet

-

I am trying to find an
easy way to describe
how I am feeling right now

I could say it is like tides going out
never again returning to shore

or

as if the sun has set permanently
leaving the world in darkness

or

it feels every minute seems
twice as long than the last

or

I am more empty than a
bank lobby on a holiday

or

I could just say
I miss you…so very much

That would be the easiet thing to say

-

Sitting alone on a beach in the sun
Singing a song about love
Watching the rain on a perfect spring day
Wishing on clouds up above

Following butterflies lost in a field
Sharing a milkshake, two straws
Writing a poem for someone to find
Catching each leaf as it falls

Building a snowman with buttons for eyes
Kissing your lips oh so soft
Playing piano with you next to me
Sailing a green kite aloft

Seeing the city when night does arrive
Riding a train into town
Hearing your knock on the front door at dawn
Picking a flower we’ve found

Placing our toes in a slow moving stream
Counting the stars in the sky
Having a picnic beneath an old tree
Sending the sunset a sigh

Holding your hand as I look in your eyes
Whispering that I love you
Awaiting the day when I finally see
All of these daydreams come true

.

I want to write
    beautiful poetry
upon your blushing skin
       using my finger,
  gently tracing
    each verse

Allowing
     the unspoken love
I have in my heart
   to surrender you  
with each word
   *written

-

I’m in a new city at a club close to your office,  
sitting at a table, wondering what you will think of me
The bar is crowded, happy hour is in full swing
but basically a blur to me as I watch the front door intently,  
every person entering makes my heart skip a nervous beat

I check my watch, again…5:16
It should be any moment now, I hope
Another sip of my drink, my second this afternoon,
needing a third I think, maybe not when the door opens,
I see you walk in, I think it’s you

Gorgeous brown eyes scan the place
as I wave slightly hoping you see, recognize me
You do and I stand clumsily almost spilling my glass
I can’t contain my smile as yours illuminates the room,
you are more beautiful than the photos

A thousand frantic butterflies invade my stomach
and my knees feel weak, it is finally happening  
I smooth my hair with my hand, a stupid habit
Moving towards you, I can’t stop staring, you are so beautiful
Time has switched to slow motion

So long I have waited for this, so very long
to meet you in person, gaze into your eyes,
touch you and know you are real
I weave through the partying patrons
and reaching you I say “Hi.”

Hi? I had this perfect dialogue planned,
It was so romantic and all I can get out is hi? How pathetic is that?
I wait what seems like forever for your response
You reply “Hi.” It is the sweetest sound I have ever heard,
as the place now has gone quiet to me except for your voice

“I have a table over here,” and sweating like a high school kid
on his first prom, I lead you to our seats
I am still staring, I can’t stop “Can I get you something?”
You take my hand and whisper, “ I have everything I need now”
I melt right where I sit and realize, I am falling in love all over again…

.

It’s funny how a day can change
in the blink of an eye   :(

I was just sitting here
staring out of my office window
watching it rain and frowning
because it was so gloomy,
kind of down, ** hum
Paperwork was piling up on my desk
but I wasn’t much in the mood
to tackle it

Then I blinked and saw
I had just received an email from her
She wrote, “I stopped to daydream
about you for a moment today,
and it was so nice”

It’s funny how a day can change
in the blink of an eye  :)

.

Pleasing thoughts of endless rhyme
from deep within do grow
I put to pen and paper dreams
these verses set to flow

To pour along your tender heart
trickle through a while
In hopes that they will bring you joy
and form your face a smile

You’ve asked before, where can it be
that I can find these ways
To write these verses every night
my love put on display

The only answer I can find
so deep within my heart
Is I will write my love for you
these moments we're apart

With only but the shortest time
to tell you how I feel
I use the words I send to you
my feelings to reveal

And pray that you do feel the same
to need me by your side
Open arms now wanting me
with love so ever wide

My mind is like a painted field
in colors vibrant true
When of these words I send your way
that whisper I love you

And if the day should come to pass
when thoughts are running dry
I’ll think about this love I've found
to see before my eyes

Your beauty in a gilded frame
where ever I may be
And write these words I love to say
*that you belong with me

-

With merely words
strung together in hurtful fashion,
he formed a noose
tightly around her neck

She gasped for air
as evil eyes watched,
happily from twin shadows
cast by her broken heart

Thrashing legs and
pleading expressions
in the heat of this day
curved a wicked smile upon his face

Tears burned lines on her cheeks
as she desperately searched
for a way out, she was losing hope,
just about to give up

When she managed with her final ounce of energy
to reach the keyboard and hit delete,
removing his email and him forever…
Once again she could breathe

.

I can’t take too many more days like today
I never noticed it was National Day of Loneliness on the calendar
No red circle highlighting anything,
but it came and I wasn’t prepared

There were no cards or decorations to celebrate,
no special cake or pies,
not even a sale at Penney’s, (which is odd on any day)

Just a lonely day sitting at my desk,
staring at a screen (I guess my computer knew)
missing you
Oh, there were a few emails, but nothing that filled this need,
this constant need I have for you

So I suppose I will make a note
in my reminder program
so that next year
on April 7th I will know
that I will be lonely
once again

Can’t wait for tomorrow